Wine Review: Rippon Central Otago Osteiner 2018

For today's wine tasting I look at an incredibly rare wine from Wanaka in New Zealand's Central Otago wine region. The wine tasted is Rippon Vinyard's Central Otago Osteiner 2018 - I believe this may be the only single varietal Osteiner from anywhere in the world.

Rippon are a highly reputed producer located in the Wanaka sub region of New Zealand's Central Otago wine region, located towards the southern end of the country's South Island. It is best known for its sought-after Pinot Noirs, but produces wine from a range of other grape varieties including Riesling, Gewürztraminer and the near-unique Osteiner.

The vineyard, which is widely regarded as one of the world's most spectacular, was established by Rolfe and Lois Mills in 1975. It covers 15 hectares (37 acres) on the banks of Lake Wanaka, which provides temperature moderation for the vineyard and a degree of protection from frost. The soils are mostly schist with clay, gravel and loess; the vineyard is farmed biodynamically without irrigation. Rolfe Mills is the third generation of his family to farm here with the property remaining within the family to this day.

In the winery, all wines are fermented using ambient yeasts. It is one of the most popular winery visits and event venues in the country thanks to the stunning views across the water to the Southern Alps.

A range of classic Central Otago wines are made at Rippon, with a focus on Pinot Noir and Riesling. The Pinot Noir comes from the western side of the vineyard, which is planted on a north-facing aspect. Many of these vines date back to the first Rippon plantings, and are the source of several bottlings in the Mature Vine series: Emma's Block, Tinker's Field and Tinker's Bequest Pinot Noirs. A further Pinot Noir from younger vines is labeled Jeunesse (Youth), and a Gamay is also made.

The white wine portfolio is headlined by a duo of varietal Riesling and Gewürztraminer under the main label (in the Mature Vine series). A small amount of Sauvignon Blanc, and an Osteiner complete the line-up. The latter is a very rare German Riesling-Sylvaner cross imported by Rolfe Mills in the 1990s; the small parcel here (about 1 hectare/2.5 acres) approximates the extent of plantings in Germany.

To find out more about this wine, its pricing and its availability follow this link to the Wine-Searcher website: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/ri...

▶️ CHAPTERS:
0:00 A unicorn wine
0:15 Rippon Central Otago Osteiner 2018 wine label
0:32 Background and history of Osteiner
1:20 Background of Rippon
1:07 Mills family ownersip
1:22 Vineyard area and varieties planted
1:58 History of Rippon
2:08 About Rolfe Mills
2:36 25 varieties planted experimentally
2:52 Old vines, many on their own roots
3:07 Organic and biodynamic farming
3:20 Soils
3:44 Climate modified by Lake Wanaka
4:18 Osteiner vineyard
4:34 WINEMAKING - fermentation
4:45 Fermentation with ambient yeasts
5:08 TASTING - Appearance
5:30 Aromas
6:17 Palate
7:03 Conclusions
7:26 Thanks, closing remarks and sign-off

▶️Follow this link to view my video of Weingut Schloss Proschwitz Goldriesling Trocken 2016:    • Wine Review: Weingut Schloss Proschwitz Go...  

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